Cooler



June 3, 1930. E. R. BURCHIEL 1,761,610A

I COOLER Filed Aug. l, 1927 Patented June 3, 1930 UNiTEDsTA rss ERNEST R. BURCHIEL, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON COOLER Application filed August 1, 1927. Serial No.- 209,97`2.

This invention relates to improvements in Coolers or refrigerators, and particularly to,

that class of device in Which the cooling is effected by the evaporation of Water admitted to the Walls of the cooling chamber. It is the principal object of this invention to provide a cooler of the above character having its Walls molded from a novel composition `of mattervvhich is Water accumulating to such an extent and which also so accelerates evaporation that it `produces a construct-ion that is more eiicient than those heretofore used, which does not sweat or drip Water internally or externally, and which is not subject to decay, mold or any deteriorating effect.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of avv basin in the top Wall of the cooler in which Water may be contained for absorption by the cooler Walls.

Another object of the invention resides in the composition of material and method used in forming the Walls of the cooler.

Other objects of the invention reside in the various details of construction and combination of parts as Will hereinafter be described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein-e' Figure l is a perspective view of a cooler constructed in'accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial vertical section of the` j In its preferred form of construction, it is of the usual box-like form and comprises a Wooden frame structure Within vvhich'the cooler Walls of composition material are molded in an integral body. The frame l structure comprises the angular leg forming or corner pieces 2 at the four corners of the box. The upper, lower and intermediate cross bars 3, 4 and 5, respectively, which are joined to the corner parts 2 in such manner as to provide Va rigid and substantial frame structure, and the wooden casing 14 within which, as presentlydescribed, a door is d i i 1 i 1 In manufacturing coolers of this character, the Wooden frame structure is first assembled and then this is'placed Within a suitable mold Within Which the body of the cooler is cast, sothat its Walls are all integrally formed and the frame so embedded therein that the body and frame are permanently and rigidly joined. fj Y rEhe cooler body comprises the'side Walls 6, back vvall 7, top WalllS and bottom Wall 9, all of which are cast' in Va single piece. vThe front of the body thus formed is left-open and in thisV opening, which is defined Vby the casing 14, adoor l0 is fitted. The door is bounded by a Wooden frame structure 13 and is suspended from one side by hinges ll and provided at its oppositie edge with a. 'latch 12. InVV Figures l and 2, the door is illustrated as comprising the wooden frame struc--4 ture 13 in which is cast a central panel l5 ofthe same'niaterial as is used in making the body portions. 'An important feature of the invention resides in theV use of Ia composition of material from .which the bon` may be cast and Which Will insure the results previouslymentioned. This composition is prepared by mixing together ordinary fibre plaster, plaster of Paris,ipumicestone and gypsum.' Preferably, they are used in the following proportionsz`" j., l Percent Fibre plaster l Ylf 23 Plaster of Paris f I 47 Pumice stone-; `T l l i 5 Grypsum "25 To. this mixture a quantity'of water vsufficient to make it capable of being molded is added andfthe composition isfthen poured inthe mold Within the frame structure, It is desired alsothat reinforcing rods or Wires 20, as shown in Figures 2 and 8,b'e secured Within the frame so that they Will be embedded in the Walls of the cooling chamber to give strength thereto and also which will more securely hold the frame structure and body together; the ends of the Wires preferably being att-ached to screW eyes 21 fixed in the frame members as shown in Figure t.

It has been found that a composition 4of this character will quickly absorb a large quantity of Water and this will be discharged evenly to all parts of the 'body and Will not drip or seep from or be visible on the Walls. It also accelerates evaporation of the Water to such an extent that the desired cooling is effected. In actual use the temperature Within the cooler may be maintained at about fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

For the purpose of facilitating the application of Water to the cooler Walls. it is preferred to cast a shallow hasinwa in the top Wall in which a'quantity of Water maybe poured. This'basin serves to retain'the Water until it has lbeen absorbed by the Walls and thus the undesirable results which would follow the pouring or splashing of Water on the Walls is avoided. It'has been found that if the Walls of the cooler are thoroughly saturated and a quantity of Water remains in the basin, it Will be retained there until sufficient moisture vhas been evaporated from the Walls that thiseXtra amount of Water maybe absorbed. At no time, regardless ofthe degree of saturation of the Walls, will any Water drip or sweat lfrom the inside or outside surfaces.

Another important feature o'fthe construction is that the door panel is insulated 'from the other parts by the Wooden casing 14 and frame i3 and thus it does not Vabsorb Water from the Walls. This provides, by Yvirtue of the moisture absorbing property `of the material` that any moisture 'arising from steaming food, vietuals or vegetables placed in the cooler Will readily be taken up vby the door panel and thus the undesirable result-s which might otherwise occurare avoided.

In order that the door panel will at all times be Well insulated so as not toy absorb Water from Vthe surrounding Walls, the wooden frame Which surrounds itis Well treated with a water ,proofing material before it is placed in the structure. The other parts of the frame are also Well treated with a Water proofing material to preventtheir warping due to absorption of moisture and to add to their durability. Also, all metal parts are treated with a rustproofing material to add to theirdurability.

Such cooling devices may be made in various sizes, shapes and proportions and may be equipped internally with suitable shelving, as has b'eenintlicat'ed at2'6'in Figure 2, so'as to'adaptthem for various uses such as required in "the yordinary home, in markets, hotels or on ships.

Laeneio lt is to be understood that While I have illustrated the cooler' as cast Within a Wooden frame structure, it is not absolutely necessary that such be provided for the reason that it is possible to cast boites of the material mentioned in various forms and shapes and Without the frame structure, which will vserve as well, in so far as the cooling effect is concerned, as if the frame structure were provided. However, the

frame structure "enhances the appearance of the device and also gives it strength and facilitates its being handled.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

.A `cooler ofthe character described comprising a 'box-like cooling chamber having its Walls integrally cast from a Water absorbing material, and a basin formed in the top Wall in which Water may be contained for absorption by the Walls and a door for the cooler having a Wooden frame encasing it andai/hereby itfis insulated from the body of the cooler, and a .panel in said door of'an absorbent material for taking up moisture from Within the cooler.

Signed at Tacoma, Pierce County, Nashington, this 21st -day of June, 1927.

ERNEST R. BURCHIEL. 

